ACAPO - Associação dos Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal

What ACAPO - Associação dos Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal does

ACAPO (Associação dos Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal), founded in October 1989, is a Lisbon-headquartered non-profit association that serves as Portugal's national reference organization for blind and visually impaired individuals. It operates a federated structure of approximately 12 regional delegations spanning continental Portugal and the Azores, delivering a portfolio of rehabilitation services (employment support, daily living activities, orientation and mobility, assistive product prescription, psychology, social work, ICT training), independent-living support through CAVI centers for members aged 16 and older, rights-representation and advocacy at national and international fora, and community-facing services including web and physical accessibility consulting, Braille production and certification, audio description for cultural events, and accessibility testing.

The organization's core 'technology' is accumulated domain expertise in accessibility standards (WCAG 2.0 alignment) and assistive service delivery rather than software products. ACAPO holds EQUASS Assurance and ISO 9001 certifications and produces the Revista Louis Braille journal and Boletim Informativo newsletter. It maintains international governance roles through the European Blind Union (Rodrigo Santos elected to the EBU Board in 2019) and the World Blind Union (active participation in the 2025 São Paulo General Assembly committee), and runs the 'Braille na Lusofonia' project extending Braille training to six Portuguese-speaking countries.

ACAPO's revenue model is a typical Portuguese non-profit/associação mix: recurring member quotas (associados efetivos and associados cooperantes), IRS 1% tax consignation, corporate and individual donations, project co-financing from public bodies (e.g., INR — Instituto Nacional para a Reabilitação; IILP — Instituto Internacional da Língua Portuguesa), and solidarity-product sales. GTM is community-led via the regional delegation network, supported by social media, newsletters, events, and corporate partnerships (e.g., the MEO MEOS points-donation program, sensory jewelry with designer Tânia Gil). The primary customer segment is people with visual disabilities in Portugal; secondary segments include government/regulators (banking accessibility, electoral accessibility, disability strategy) and private firms seeking accessibility compliance and consulting.

Name

ACAPO - Associação dos Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal

Legal name

ACAPO - Associação dos Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal

Website

https://acapo.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACAPO is Portugal's national non-profit association for blind and visually impaired people, founded in 1989. It delivers rehabilitation, independent-living support, accessibility consulting, and advocacy through 12 regional delegations, while representing members in national and international disability policy fora.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services and Social Advocacy

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDALAFAN

Accessibility, Accommodations & Assistive Services

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Student Health, Counseling & Wellness Services

SECONDARYEDAKAIAB

AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Assistive Technology (AT) Assessment, Devices & Training

SECONDARYEDAEAIAM

Accessibility & Special Needs Equipment (Assistive Devices, Adaptive Furniture, Sensory Rooms)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Education Supplies, Equipment & Furniture Procurement

SECONDARYEDAKAFAE

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) & Self-Care Skills Training

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Occupational Therapy (OT) & Sensory Integration Services

Keywords

• Visual disability services
• Rehabilitation and accessibility
• Braille production services
• Independent living support
• Disability rights advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisboa

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Member Contributions (Quotas): Members pay regular quotas (association fees) to support the organization's operations. Members include associados efetivos (visually impaired members) and associados cooperantes (supporting members).
2. IRS Consignation (Tax Donation): Portuguese taxpayers can consign 1% of their IRS (income tax) to ACAPO (NIF: 502 410 132) at no additional cost. This represents a significant source of charitable funding.
3. Donations and Charitable Contributions: One-time or regular monetary donations from individuals and organizations. Donations can be made via bank transfer to Novo Banco (NIB 0007 0014 0036530000481) or in-kind donations to local delegations.
4. Solidarity Products Sales: Sale of solidarity products including sensory jewelry (Joalharia Sensorial), custom water bottles, and other items where proceeds support ACAPO's mission.
5. Corporate Partnership Programs: Partnerships with companies like MEO (MEOS points program) where corporate social responsibility programs generate donations for ACAPO services like white canes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ACAPO is a non-profit association that provides rehabilitation, independent living support, rights representation, and community services for blind and visually impaired people in Portugal. Its core offerings include rehabilitation services (employment support, orientation and mobility, assistive product prescription, psychology, social work, ICT training), CAVI independent living centers, accessibility consulting (web, physical, event), Braille production and certification, and audio description services. The organization complements these with member publications (Boletim Informativo, Revista Louis Braille) and outreach projects such as 'Braille na Lusofonia' and solidarity products like Joalharia Sensorial.

Product overview

ACAPO is a non-profit association serving people with visual disabilities in Portugal. Its offering is structured as a broad portfolio of rehabilitation, advocacy, and community services rather than a single software product. The core service portfolio includes Rehabilitation Services (employment support, daily living activities, sports, professional training, orientation and mobility, assistive product prescription, psychology, social work, and ICT), Centers for Independent Living (CAVI), Rights Representation, and Community Services (accessibility testing, Braille production and certification, training, and consulting). Publications include the Boletim Informativo newsletter and the Revista Louis Braille journal. Special projects include the international 'Braille na Lusofonia' initiative and the Sensory Jewelry line of silver pendants with Braille inscriptions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Serviços de Reabilitação (Rehabilitation Services) A comprehensive suite of rehabilitation services for people with visual disabilities, including employment support, daily living activities (AVD), sports, professional training, orientation and mobility, assistive product prescription, psychology, social work, and information and communication technologies (ICT). Intended for visually impaired members in Portugal.
• Centros de Apoio à Vida Independente (CAVI) Centers providing personal assistance services to people with visual disabilities aged 16 and older, promoting independent living in their respective metropolitan areas. Intended for visually impaired adults in Portugal seeking to live independently.
• Representação de Direitos (Rights Representation) Advocacy and representation services defending the rights of people with visual disabilities at national and international levels, including participation in policy-making bodies. Intended for the visually impaired community in Portugal and policymakers.
• Serviços para a Comunidade (Community Services) Community-facing services including project evaluation, awareness campaigns, physical and web accessibility consulting, training, and Braille production and certification. Intended for external organizations, companies, and individuals needing accessibility expertise.
• Produção e Certificação Braille (Braille Production and Certification) Production and certification of Braille materials, making written information accessible to people with visual disabilities. Serves both members and external organizations requiring accessible documents.
• Testes de Acessibilidade (Accessibility Testing) Accessibility testing services for products, services, events, and other offerings, conducted with people with visual disabilities to ensure suitability of accessibility resources. Intended for organizations seeking inclusive user testing.
• Audiodescrição (Audio Description Services) Professional audio description (audiodescrição) services for cultural events, theater performances, and audiovisual content to make visual media accessible. Intended for cultural venues, broadcasters, and visually impaired audiences.
• Braille na Lusofonia An international cooperation project creating and distributing Braille training kits and providing 50-hour distance training to educators across 6 Portuguese-speaking countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste. Intended for educators in Lusophone countries.
• Boletim Informativo (Informative Bulletin) An informative bulletin/newsletter covering updates on visual disability topics, distributed to members and the community. Intended for visually impaired members and the broader community.
• Revista Louis Braille (Louis Braille Journal) The organization's magazine, the Louis Braille Journal, covering topics related to visual disability and the association's activities. Intended for members, supporters, and the wider public.
• Joalharia Sensorial (Sensory Jewelry) Sensory jewelry pieces — pendants in silver with Braille inscriptions (Amor, Partilha, Gratidão) — created in collaboration with designer Tânia Gil, with proceeds supporting ACAPO's mission. Price €35 for members, €40 for non-members. Intended for members, supporters, and the general public.
• Garrafa de Água ACAPO (Custom ACAPO Water Bottle) Custom ACAPO water bottle with logo and laser-engraved personalization (first and last name), priced at €9 for members. Sale proceeds support ACAPO's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7 professional integrations in Q4 2025 through employment support program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Comité Paralímpico de Portugal (CPP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2026Co-organizer of the Paralympic Youth Camp (Campo Paralímpico Jovem), a summer camp for children and youth aged 8-18 with disabilities eligible for paralympic sports. Held September 2-5, 2026 at Centro de Reabilitação Rovisco Pais.
• Grupo Social ONCEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2026Long-standing collaboration agreement between ACAPO and the Spanish National Organization of the Blind (ONCE). Includes joint projects on employability and training for members, capacity building for technicians, and knowledge sharing in areas such as the European Blind Union, World Blind Union, Ibero-American Braille Council, and Portuguese-Speaking Blind Union. ONCE's expansion into Portugal brings additional opportunities for joint projects.
• Altice Portugal / MEOcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022MEOS solidarity program where MEO customers donate loyalty points converted to donations for ACAPO. In the 2022 edition, over 285,000 euros were raised for 14 social institutions. Program specifically supported white cane provision and training for visually impaired members. Diogo Costa, Treasurer of ACAPO's National Direction, participated in the donation ceremony.
• European Blind Union (EBU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACAPO serves as the national member organization. Rodrigo Santos was elected to the EBU Board in 2019. ACAPO's Rosário Cunha coordinated the Institutional Representation Department and was invited to co-organize the 2027 EBU General Assembly, considered one of the best-organized assemblies ever.
• World Blind Union (WBU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal representative body for blind and low vision individuals. ACAPO's President Rodrigo Santos participated in the WBU organizing committee for the 2025 General Assembly in São Paulo, Brazil.
• Instituto Internacional da Língua Portuguesa (IILP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject 'Braille na Lusofonia' funded by IILP, providing Braille training and materials to teachers in Portuguese-speaking countries including Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor. Project included 50-hour distance learning course and educational material kits.
• Federação Portuguesa de Desporto para Pessoas com Deficiência (FPDD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Paralympic Youth Camp alongside Comité Paralímpico de Portugal.
• Instituto Nacional para a Reabilitação, I.P. (INR)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-financing of ACAPO projects through the Project Financing Program (Programa de Financiamento a Projetos). INR I.P. supports initiatives like the 'Aventura' outdoor activity program and other community projects.
• Tânia Gil JewelryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtisan jewelry designer partnership for 'Joalharia Sensorial' (Sensory Jewelry) project. Workshop for visually impaired participants creating silver pendants with Braille inscriptions (Amor, Partilha, Gratidão). Sales proceeds fully benefit ACAPO. Atelier in Lisbon at Travessa dos Mastros, 1.
• Caves MessiasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarlos Alves from Caves Messias developed 'Santola' wine project where part of each bottle sale reverts to ACAPO. Labels include QR codes for visual information and wine names in Braille, promoting inclusive wine labeling.
• Imprensa Nacional - Casa da MoedacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on electoral accessibility, specifically validating Braille voter templates and explanatory sheets for Portuguese elections to ensure accessible voting for people with visual disabilities.
• Comissão Nacional de EleiçõescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on accessible elections through the Accessible Elections Working Group, reviewing and improving accessibility information content and producing audio-described voting appeal videos.
• Banco de PortugalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Banking Accessibility Regime (Decree-Law 82/2022), providing consultation from visually impaired members' experiences to inform accessibility requirements for banking services.
• Casa dos Marcos - RaríssimasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership location for CAVI Lisboa outreach session in Moita, providing accessible meeting space for independent living support center activities.
• Museu do Aljube Resistência e LiberdademinorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural accessibility partnership offering audio-described museum visits for visually impaired visitors, making cultural heritage accessible.
• Centro de Reabilitação Rovisco PaisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Paralympic Youth Camp and location for disability sports development activities.
• União dos Cegos de Língua Portuguesa (UCLP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese-Speaking Blind Union network where ACAPO continues to seek funding for Braille training expansion to Portuguese-speaking countries.
• Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo JorgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional integration partnership with ACAPO members. Instituto participated in Partner Meeting 'Inclusão em Rede' sharing experiences on workplace integration and inclusion.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/AcapoPt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@acapoassociacaodoscegoseam5897
• Facebookfacebook.com/acapo.pt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acapo-associa%C3%A7%C3%A3o-dos-cegos-e-ambl%C3%ADopes-de-portugal
• Instagraminstagram.com/acapo_1989

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ACAPO - Associação dos Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal